Jon Alex Davidson

Chief Inspirational Officer

Jon Alex Davidson is the reason Rising Above Ministries exists. The ministry was birthed by his parents, Jeff and Becky Davidson, through their own experiences raising a son with profound special needs.

Despite cerebral palsy, autism, epileptic seizures, and being non-verbal, Jon Alex has become the inspiration, motivation, and biggest blessing the Davidsons ever could have imagined. Through Jon Alex, God captured the Davidson’s heart for their fellow special-needs families and called them to be allies and supporters of the special-needs community.

Becky Davidson

Co-Founder & President

Becky Davidson co-founded Rising Above Ministries in 2005 with her late husband, Jeff, inspired by their son, Jon Alex. What started as their personal journey opened their eyes to how underserved the special needs community really is and sparked a calling to make a difference. Becky calls raising Jon Alex one of her greatest joys, and it fuels everything she does.

She’s passionate about encouraging families living with disabilities and creating support for the whole family. Becky brings honesty, humor, and real life experience to her work because she’s living it every day.

After Jeff’s passing in 2017, Becky stepped into the role of president, leading Rising Above into a powerful new season of growth and impact. She’s also the host of the Rising Above with Becky Davidson podcast and co author of Common Man, Extraordinary Call, a book she wrote with Jeff to share their journey and offer hope to other families.

Becky speaks from the heart as someone who truly “gets it.”

Steve Chatman

Vice President of Ministry Advancement & Pastoral Care

Steve is married to Lori Ann and they have 5 children and 3 grandkids. Steve has been ministering to families since 1993 and he loves to teach, counsel, encourage, entertain, and resource others. Before joining the staff at Rising Above, Steve and his wife Lori were active participants and volunteers with us for many years. As a dad to children with special needs (Steve and Lori have two daughters with Down Syndrome), he has a huge heart for the special needs community. As VP for Ministry Advancement and Pastoral Care, Steve oversees our ministry to families as well as connecting with the local church and community organizations to help them better engage and serve the special needs community.

In his spare time, he enjoys taking naps, watching movies with his family, eating donuts at the beach (or anywhere), playing fantasy football, and he hopes to one day play the banjo.

Carrissa Mackie

Director of Operations

Carrissa is married to her husband Stephen, and they have two sons together. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, dogs, and being outside. Her and her family have a huge heart for the special-needs community, and is blessed to be apart of the Rising Above team.

As the director of operations, Carrissa oversees the day-to-day operations of the ministry & does most of our event planning.

Kelsey hawkins

Media & Marketing Manager

Kelsey has been married to her husband Drew for 11 years, and together they are raising their three children—Judah, Indie, and Asa. She and her husband serve as the student pastors of 931 Students at Hope Church in Algood, where their mission is for students to develop a reverent love for God and others.

She is passionate about summer gardens, being a mom, McDonalds cokes, foster care/adoption, and national parks.

Kelsey cares deeply about people and using creativity as a tool for advocacy and encouraging others.